The Hindu : Matriculation schools should pay govt. scales

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Matriculation schools should pay govt. scales

By Our Special Correspondent

Coimbatore Feb. 25. The Director of Matriculation Schools has said all teaching and non-teaching staff of matriculation schools should be paid Government pay scales.

The directive followed the petition by the general secretary of the Coimbatore-based All-Teachers' Front, N. Umadhanu, to the Madras High Court, stating that the Salem Co-operative Sugar Mills Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mohanur, had failed to implement the government pay scales to its staff.

The Madras High Court, in its November 29, 2002 direction, asked the Director to conduct an inquiry after submission by the Government advocate that there could not be any disparity in the scale of pay for teaching and non-teaching staff "working in Government and private schools, either aided or unaided".

The Director, in his February 12, 2003 proceedings, pointed out that the inquiry conducted by him in January this year revealed that the Salem Co-operative sugar Mills paid salaries to the school staff on a par with their counterparts in government schools, when the mills financial position was sound. But as per the 6th pay commission recommendation, it would cost annually over Rs. 23 lakhs as being a difference between the existing salary and the revised one, the management represented.

However, the Director, citing the Article 18(2) of the Code of Regulations for Matriculation Schools, Tamil Nadu, pointed out that "it is stipulated that the staff in matriculation schools will be paid at the rate of Government scales and they are eligible for selection grade scale after 10 years of service as in other recognised schools".

The school then submitted that necessary financial grant to cover the deficit might be sanctioned. The Director responded that consequent to bringing the matriculation schools under the control of the Department of School Education, they were allowed to retain their original structure under which they were permitted to levy fees and "as such they are not eligible for any grant".

"When matriculation schools are granted permission and recognition, an undertaking is given by managements that all conditions prescribed in rules and departmental orders would be fulfilled and they shall abide by the Code of Regulations for Matriculation Schools of Tamil Nadu. As such a duty is cast upon the management to abide by the provisions of the said code".

The Director, citing the August 13, 1989 judgment of the Madras High Court, directed the Salem Co-operative Sugar Mills Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mohanur, to pay the Government scales of pay and other attendant benefits to its staff as per the 6th pay commission recommendations. Besides, it should award them selection grade scales of pay on completion of 10 years service.

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